Author 



Y * 




o 
o 



Title 



■^ ** ^ 



Class -IL^.„l..cL J„ 
Book .• .^D 

•J4H5 



Iiraprint. 



16-^7372-1 OPO 



Jewish Patriotism and its Ifflartyrs 

IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898 

A SERMON 

DELIVERED AT THE SYNAGOdlTE SONS OF ISRAEL 

13—15 Pike Street, New York. 

On tiuhhath Monti up, the 11th ^Shvhut, ;56o!). 
January 28tli, 1899, 



-BY- 



II. £. 



TRANSALATED BY 

A RUSSIAN AMERICAN HEBREW. 

Printed l)y A. Sheinkopf, iMO Clinton St. 
^ i^ L HI^^&N||^ NEW YOEIL 

^ •F tOROWGH PARK ^* 
^ •J06-42n<l STREET 



<<-w^ .. ...... 

JUL 24 Itii 



.^ 







Xow these are tlie Avoids of the letter that Jeremiah, the 
propliet sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the eai)tives, 
and to the priests and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar 
had carried aAvay captive from Jerusalem to Babylon, 
{Jeremiah liO— 4) saying': Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the (lod 
of Israel, unto all the captives. Build ye houses and dwell 
in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take 
ye wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for 
your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they 
may bear sons and daughters, and multiply ye there, and be 
not diminished, and seek the ])eace of the city whither I have 
caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the Lord 
for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 

Our history teaches since the days of Moses Nazaritic sects 
existed among- Israel, developing- such extreme ascetics as 
abandoning- the building- of homes and living- in comi)lete 
celibacy. 

Such sects became quite numerous after the destruction of 
our sacred temple, as we find it detailed in {Talm. Bahl Babla 
Bathra 00 B.) as follows: — The Kabbis taught since the de- 
struction of the setiond temj)le that Seperatists [Kazarenes] 
multiplied in Israel such who vowed not to eat meat nor 
drink wine and other abstinences, becoming- so rigid that Babbi 
Ishmael ben Elisha taught, from the date of the destruction 
of the temple it is a law that we impose upon ourselves 
abstemiousness, and from the period of Edomic tyraimical 
reign over us, decreeing amiullment of Torah and its eom- 
numdments, even forbidding- us to enter into the covenent of 
a son (this commentary exi)lains the practice of circucision) 



— '^ — 

1)(' it a law that we decrci' 111)011 ourselves to forsake marriage 
so as to give no birth to any offsi»ring in order that the seed of 
Abraham become extinct. 

To defeat sii(;h threateiiiiig annihilation or National suicide; 
Almighty God inspires Jeremiah to i)lead with captive Israel, 
console theii' misfortunes, comfort their aching hearts — 
awaken them to speak good tidings, so that they may strength- 
en their hearts and hands encouraging them to act bravely; 
with such enthusiasm Jeremiah utters the words of God. 
Build ye houses and dwell in them; and j^lant gardens and eat 
the fruit of them. Take ye wives etc., that ye may be in- 
creased there and not diminished. Such progressive command- 
ments fulfilled being the only effective and true law necessary 
for the preservation of a nation. 

But the unselfish prophet urges on his captive people 
nobler aims than mere self-preservation by requiring them to 
utilize their best efforts to advance the peace of their adopted 
country saying: Seek the peace of the city whither I have 
carried you captives and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the 
peace thereof shall ye have peace. 

DEAR FRIENDS: — 

Over eighteen centuries elapsed since our people were dri- 
ven from the holy land and scattered around the cardinal 
l)oints of the earth, travelling from nation to nation and not a 
people or language ever received us as hospitably and with 
as wide opened arms as the American people — this enlightened 
country who selected its head rulers when first established 
the steadfast, honest George Washington, i^resident, with 
peerless renowned councilors [blessed be their memoryj who 
elevated the standard of this country with the assistance of 
Pro\adence from on high, fulfilling the words of God through 
Moses his servant [Krofl. 23 — 9] Thou shall not oppress 



— 4 — 

a strauger, for yv know tlie lieait of a straiijier. Dent. 10-19. 
Love ye therefore the stranger, for strangers, were ye in the 
land of Egypt. 

Through a .standard of Mosaic equality this country prac- 
tically hved up to Hillel's summing up of the Torah. "What 
thow wouldst not have thy neighbor do unto thee, do not 
unto others"; therefore in due recognition of heavenly pros- 
sperity, for successfully liberating themselves of an oppressive 
yoke and banishing the voice of oppression suffered in their 
country — they open the gates of theii- land, inviting all the 
unsettled seeking habitation, away from the reach of despotic 
rulers; — all comers to this Goil blessed country, come and 
pastake equally of the Mosaic legislation (Lev. 24-22). One man- 
ner of law as well for the stranger, as for one yoiu' own country; 
granting equal privileges in the distribution of its country's 
fruits and resources, as seems goodly tit in the stranger's 
sight — much more opening widely the doors to houses of 
knowlege and all industries equally to the poor as to the rich 
thereby polishing public opinion to shine as lustrous as the sun 
at noon; for such beneficience of this comitiy, our religious law 
impels us witli the patriotic duty, to seek for the ]>eace and 
weefare for the this country forever. 

To impress you f lu-ther with our debt of gratitude due this 
country, I pray of you my worthy auditors your attention to 
the following beautiful Midrashic interiaetation which can be 
viewed almost prophetically [Mid. Eab, Exod. Sect Ij Ai)roi)os 
to the passage in Ex. And Moses went forth and retm-ned to 
Jethro his father-in-law; the Eabbis refer to Prov. 17-17. A friend 
loveth at all times and a brother in adversity is born origina- 
ting the historic fact that at all times when a redeemer was truly 
needed to help humanity out of its difficulties, a helpful brother 
was always foiuid; the friend who loveth at all times Jetlrro 



was I'st'.'ciiu'd to \)v by Closes for slicltcriii^ liiiii wlici! Ilcoiii^ 
from riijiraoh who «oiig'lit his life — from tliese i)roi)sitious the 
Kabbis eoiieluded thus: whoever takes it upon oneself to do a 
iLjood aet — due reward for such .nood acts Avill uot cease froui 
such a liousehold. 

The reward to -Jethro for redeeming- Moses Israel's redeemer 
from tlie i)ursuit of an enemy, lasted for generations that sub- 
sequently the same heioic household deserved to redeem Israel 
again by cutting off Israel's enemy Sisera: — as is related in 
Judge -1. 17. Sisera tied away on his feet to the tent of Jael the 
wife of Ileber the Kenite who slew him. 

Like reward rebounded to these United States for so goodly 
sheltering- our ancestors from their persecutor, the Si)aniards, 
enemies of light. This fact remonstrates the Midrashic inter- 
pretation as with Jethro the friend of Moses applying- likewise 
to this Country the friends of our people, whose present gene- 
ration deserved to vanquish the like enemy; succeeding- glorious- 
ly to deliver the opi)ressed from their cruelties, which President 
3IcKinley called insufferable — lowering- the boisterous pride 
of the Spaniards and crumbling- the lofty arm of that cruel 
nation. This achievment is indeed a beautiful crown of victory 
to the fame of this Country that will endure forever. 

Therefore it is incumbent upon our Jews to joy in its peace- 
ful rejoicings, and partake of its sorrows when in trouble and 
at war, as the Midrashic sages ami)lify on the same subject 
previously quoted; as follows: Exod. 3. 10. "Now come and I 
Avill send thee unto Pharoah;" the hesitancy of Moses in obey- 
ing- the call, the llabljis ascribe as due to the noble character 
of Moses — whom they picture, as remonstrating with the Lord 
saying: Oh, I cannot go without the permission of Jethro, my be- 
nefactor, who received me "a fugitive stranger" with the fondness 
as if I w^ere his son; from this model of gratitude, the sages 



— <'» — 

(lr;i\v the rule lo iniikc it a duty of cvoii ])liii'in,^ ones life in 
danger t(» ivcoinpciisc didyfor liosintabk- tivatnu'iit rcceivt-d in 
time of need as in tlie exanqile of Moses' daring hesitaney to 
comply with God's will meaning- as in Gen. 2. 17. sure death. 
But Avhen Moses finds he must obey he returns first to Jetliro 
his father-in-law, as if to take ])erniission to leave. 

The sages further exemplify frimi Kings 1-17 1'O. Elijah 
questioning God's justice while saying: "Hast thon also brought 
«'vil upon the widow Avith whom I sojourn by slaying her s(m"? 
Still the all just God Alnughty forgive Elijah's impertinence 
being an escapade thrcmgh his ardent desire to deal benevo- 
lently with his kind mistn^ss as is written: And the Lord 
heard the voice of Elijah. 

]S"ow Avith such fervent appreciation for hosi)itable treat- 
ment inherent Avith ns, when this Country preparing for war 
against the cruel enemy, not for conquest of teritory, nor to 
possess itself of uhdue riches, but only to exercise their love 
of liberty; free the oppressed from unrelenting oppressors. 
The youth of Israel tnu' to their fanu' c^f heroism, freely volun- 
tered in resjionce to the Call to Arms, knoAving Avell that going 
to the batth' field means sacrifice of lives; and in many instan- 
ces e\'en against the ])leasure of their poor jtarents. 

And Avhat impelled such bra\'ery? The enthusiasiic know 
ledge for freedom from ]>ersecution extended our brethren; 
sheltering them from trouble, therefore our youth imbued with 
the spirit of our sages opportunely offered their lives for the 
kindness of being well sheltered. 

jSfOAV DEAR FRIEDS: — 

As to the martyrs of Israel fallen in battle through Avhich 
they sanctified the name of Israel among the nations by the 
zealous sacrifice of their piire-hearted, youthful lives, so that our 
ancestors camiot reproach us Avith the stigma of un]»atriotism; 



siicli as i):utiikin,ii only of the fal of tlic land, and evading- 
servi('e when the country is in need; it is tlierefoio a holy duty 
upon us to show the sympathy of our hearts; how precious in 
onr estimation we value these sanctified desirably chosen; who 
poured out their blood while offering' their lives for their be- 
loved and adopted country. Going forth in unity with their 
American brethren to fight the battle of duty, the battle for 
freedom and love of hunuuiity. But it is our bounden duty, 
friends, to supplement our hearty sympathy with practical 
deed, so that each of us contribute a free will offering to aid 
the erection of a beautiful monument that will record as lasting- 
as stone, the memory of these holy departed souls, so that 
future generations may see and learn to love and esteem the 
land of their birth aiul its dwellers as faithful brethern, in 
fulfillment of Scripture Malachi 2. 10. "Have we not all one 
father? Hath not one God created us ? 

Therefore let it be a holy duty upon all of us to guard and 
fulfill the statutes of this Country, to seek after its peace and 
good and pray for her unto God continually, to guard and save 
luT from all trouble and afiiction. That oidy righteous rejoicing- 
and gladness be in her reach all the days; with growing pros- 
l)erity to all the land and its dwellers. 

May a beautiful spirit of wisdom and understanding inspire 
(vur rulers with their counsellors for the good of the country 
and its inhabitants. Anu'u ! 



IN MEMORiAM. 
Keverend and Deak Sir: — 

The Siib-Cominittee clioseu by tlu' National IMomuiicnf 
Coiiiinittee liaviiio- in charge the erection of tlie National Monn- 
nient to the men who went down with the battleship :\I;!ine oui' 
soldier heroes of the Cuban and :\ranila ])attlelields, and the 
brave fellows avIio died in eanip, earnestly desire that one 
Sabbath be set apart, upon which congre<iational observance 
may be ^iven in all Synagogues of the United States, to the 
heroism of the men whose lives were lost in the service of their 
<^ountry, either on the battleheld or from illnes in camp. 

It is the earnest desire of the National Committee, and of 
this Sub-Committee, that the soldiers, sailors aud marines 
should be tittingly remembered at this time by a memorial 
service that will tell in how high esteem a Nation holds the 
men who met death under its Flag-. 

^Yill you not upon the 28th day of Ja.nuary next, in your 
Synagogue services, pay to the memory of the soldiers Miio died 
in their country's defense, the public tribute Avhich is their due 
and make a contribution to add some stones to the shaft which 
is to make their fame lasting. It is desired to make this a 
"Soldier's Memorial Day" in all the Jewish Congregations of 
the Country. 

If this proposition meets with yoiu' indorsement, will you 
kindly answer by return mail to Paul Latzke, Secretary of the 
Xational Monument Committee, Room 80, 154 Xassau St. X. Y. 
All remittance should be nuide to George J. Gould, 
Treasurer of the Xational Committee, Western Union Bnihlinfi. 
195 Broaxhray, New Yorl\ 

Sincerely yours, 
JULIUS FKEIBEKG, President Union of American 

Hehreiv Conr/regations. 
ISAAC M. AVISE, President Central Conference of 

American Rahhis. 
JOSEPH SILTEKMAN, 1st Vice-President Central 
Conference of American Rahhis. 



.Y 



^n^ytr nf::n':'C ^d^^vj ^nnr^nbr^ ^*u^*3^*'7 nni::: nm /n^ntri 



.n'7^£n "1102 J't^'foo nncn oibtr nyo nb^sn 
. T'6 ,T"o fV'"^ b^;:2'2p o-'^Mn mcTO 

.nb^en nioo j"srDo o^cnin on 



4Si^> K 'ii-''~s 



.IT 

,rj^^t<:: •i,t':5X np':':::* ny:: s^id nns - i^DNitDi vijnq inv 
,Dn?nn'7 ii::ni v^n ^7:;^^ i^b'b )b hm ,^1^:] D^rL^* "5 ^iD^b n^n 

n^r^h "nym ^p'^:*: n.snp':' cncy ns^'^ 'r.snti^^ nin:: in-iinn 

□.Tns'p (nnyn d^l^'^j:: eye -iltn n::ii2 ni^m /^mn t^jnn 
-,D^ni::n asT ,cn^ n:;n nns i;^':' inns ntrx /D ^ j s p n y c n n 

-D^Dyn ^j<n::"' ntJ? rj-tp ntrx /D^t:*npn '7Nnt:'^ ^nin:: nbi< 
ir; n\-t:i '73'?) nmntsn nnnb m^2 - d'l^'sj:^ ,D.Ta'' '^1212 
cv::i '^x-T.r^ ^:n I'pr.s^ p^n m:^?:: p-i mos'? d^u:: nsnn'? 
■'rnn mxnn'7 ir'7*; s'ln t^mp :}in j^'? — (]nnD^ npi^i ni':; 
i2£5r n*ii\s ;-!cn mn^ D^^mpn nb^ Mb nt^n Dnp^ ^:d iii^JDn'? 
liT nx in^ DnN^'2 ,nnbti; N^JD::.sn y; ctr'SJ noci /Cit:-i 
D'£inn ncn':'C -m:;^ non^:: Din'?'? cji^pnycxn cn^nx 

! 'D*; '22 ^nX '73X 

iinsc nns b2 nt:\sr— S;i£:2 ir^n'? ^::'m nixnnt' irby 
n'px -inp ^^y ]r^b nx^ nia*; D^pnb n-iint:n )22b n2i2]r\' 
::inx'? ,nDi?:: inp^i ^ibr a^J2 rsn^ nin liSn^ ]]:Db ,D^t^'TIp^ 
naiD /D^j^xj D^nxiD n^::r?i □m'^iQ |*nx .D^^nx n^pin'?! 
ijsnannx 'pxxiSn ^u'?::'? nns nx xi'7n (10 o ^dn'??::) N^:ijn 
bb^nrb^ /nniroi n!2i'?*u:* trnnn'? .nncn pin c'p'71 -iicsr'? /-"i:i 
nn?::t:*i jiu'iT pn ^piji m:: '72c n'7^:kn'7 /i^^n 'n bx nnp 



.Ill 

•ncj^C'' r\!2 ,Li"]2Tjn ^rjiD' ^:tn'2 r!::t:'nb ^jjH s'ri:: nrni 
nn) trrj*^ nsn::: ]^y^ iS\-n (t's nni niD^O tr-ncn ^i::rr 
-in^ '^s ^r"! n-L^'f:: I'^^i ,{IS n nvrii* ::^n^) (Dtr dj^D', 
nsi ,y-in inns ny b:::: (r ^'pt:*.:: Tnn) ."ijnir 

iQ^'y hv hnpL; 'd ,1:2b nns ]srr.: ,n>n£; ^jsc mi:: rTnt: 

':'::ps^'-in'2c i^y .s^rirn ^jsr^ nnru* 'rsn: <^r\'2 iin:i bnp^ 

'p::* v':;'7n \s:;v) "'-jpn i2n nrs '^t/ Sns '?« v'pjin d, 
Diini ^b2pz'' ' J s p ' n y rj s n c*; ^7*^ Dmvc jr .r.n 

nny an':' nicy'LT nm*i ,un:2 r^pD^^ nTi'D nms |\s* 2^.\i 

s'? nyji ]pT -iD\s mrs ^ij yiii •^2S^*'p•l ,D'':i;nT; ]is'3 '7'£:'L:'n' 
^.nbo Drsnn n^.s'cn mrsy'? pn:*"^ itjI I'^cn 
nmni nriDn ^pin npin^i "iicrr'? u^'^y n:}in ]2':' 

nncn jitm p^n nnpb i:njs D-'i^^inc ^^y ^:n *nx ]d 
,nT '^y ij^nitrsj -nccb ncn'?Q ny::i ,[:i'?tr nyi— n'; nif:: n^ir 
n^yt^b r\"2pn i'^ ni':2N'ir nVuTi '^''n (t'£ irmQi) Vti ir"c: 
^:\s U't2br;n ]^2'\ ^b -i?::n "nyns '^x "jnVtrsn ni'; 
,]33 i^y ''jsi nn^i nnc •'b nn^i nn^ ^j'^ript:* use ,bir 
mc;::'? ::^^n nci^::) i'? I'^n irrj /i^^in^ inns nms nihd' '!2 
*n::£"3 2':r'7 ]rnc::'Lr ^"£>\sd' ]:: nrc i!:i<i /V'^y i"'£ 
pi .(iin^ n^ii^ ]i mtr*;'? 2^^n crj ,n"2 cipon mn^b*^*: 

nay ini:n;2 ^jN ni^'s n:c^sn r; Djn« noisi ]jnnQ b^nnr 
''£'71 Dn:]-i n^L^n) ,(20 r^ "n c^rx';^) "122 nx n^cn'? nniy-ir 
'n yc^iTn- mri (i^m ns '^'^^-nb ni nmynn mcxt' nbyr. 
ixvc-121^ nrp- ^3 c:nxnj nb'n *y^2 iirm i.t^n bip: 
r\"2pr\ y::u' jz'^ -nni:! ii'^rj □\x:;r nrsi n'opn ^ryi ]n v-\2' 



.II 

TJ2 ('- "121 unh nn) ^^n nvi^'p cnn^ njpmn ]yc^ 
Tnp /]^n£nN I'^rsn mjj r;t:ji ,i2::'i D\nn 

r\2)nb ^2br] nr -^n^ ,i c: y r^ n ^ n t c 2^' 1 2 m /D ^ z' 2 s ^ 

!^*::^'yn c::vp2 n::\sn 
-i::\s nr-i.t:n '7n p^jn^ c-^t:""-': 'n -121 en':' s*2 ]2 ^nns* 
n^yn n^it:'? nr^y^b ci^ '?xb n\i^ -i*l:\s bi '2 ,t,:2n'7 nt^'i!^ I'pjn 

^2 /my^ 'H ^s ^bblr\n^ ,r\!2Z' cms* "nb:.-! n::'x 

! ^nx 

V2^i<b ij-iT£n:i ,nrLr 1830 nr ir^nN'^ ij^t':'^:' cv^ 
mynTm ,""'£ 1202 ]irii n::\s* cir ijn\s ii2p n'? ,p.Nn ni£j2 
^yTiD D'Lrsi2^ ! nrn nxjn cyn /(^jspny.t:^-) cj;2 mmna 
(v:»'yr^, V'T iN-is^rrkSii D*nxn i^jyinpen rrx 121 'pp 2^t:'pc 
n2yri2'f:: 1^2 m 121 niN^^'? ;njv'7yn nn:rnn ns*^ '^y^tDpin 
1 : n 'lT' £ J r, n d n > i ^ c n s i f n t' n i<b 1 j i (9 3"2 m::*^') 
...i-'jcn i<':' /(1 9 " 1:^21) crrn en: ^2 ,i:n n^s 2n2nNi 
...-in2^ Tl:\S DpC2 ■j2ip2 .. 2D'^ "i^y ...jbi^ St i^-s 
N^jDi no 'lTtc hh'ii\^ (16-17 j'2 2^21) ijjin xb ib 21l22 
pi£u' njvbvn nnru nb "2112 n-i2n':'i !'m2yn s':' ii2n':' yb]; 
■^ly^Nn cy inn£) c:;is:: u 31J '^ip iT2rm .d^it iiy c.T'^yc' 
n'^D'CD nr;:T r:j ^72^ ,n-i:i -i2in ':'2b d^'in- ny*u^' (^jsp 
bi2n ■''72nny'Lr \s2 '721 ,□^^"'1 2^21:0 c^pimppm ,2^r-i'; 
UT 2^2 n^i^n niTN^?! 1:':' "inS ^?^t'i:^ nnx npin— cyi m 
nin^ iiyi ,c.Try2 21122 n:iiN 2mi i<bD2 M2"m .t-£c 
n^iN*2 D'mn£ n2N':r2i n::2n \n2 'n'n ,n^Lr*ttcn nj^'yn 
Dnn::2 ^'^2*1^2 n'72unn i\s2 i\xn CJ .nny^' \s*2 /2':' nniib 

.in' c:i |V2Ni i^ry'? ,1:^71 iitn'? 

trill':' '^Ni::'' ':2 ',:n:« C''2inf2 p"mn n"i '"£'; ]2^ 

.C'CM ^2 .121121 nf2i':'t:' 



^'7 






-ID'S Dvn ^2 bkS c^'psrin^D N'3jn n^Di'' n'^tr -lt^*x 

:nnD"Tp mpD cnnj mnD '^s^it:*':} rn 12^ nyn^D 

,'721 brD h2r\r\ men ^7212 nijnbi t^nn^'? rr\r2r\ b^ in^nb 
ir^fQtr ]'y2 ,n'u j nnpi cn^ n^t:*'? D^n^ mj2c □: -nij^i 

nc^D'fitr DVD1 ,\^ nn^'j n^i "itr^ 'pdx: ^b^ ijc:;y '73; mnjt:* 
min iJOD ]^'i'r:52Di ,ni^p nnn ir^y ]nnjsr ons m^^D 

,D^J2 '\'b^'rh^ ntrs s*K^^b n'^d* ijc^y bv mnjt:? Nin ]^i 

b^ nmb HTifi ,iT -j-iiD D^Minb n'pijn ^j^':' .Ton^ 1x^2: 
D2^?2 '^Dtri:: □"nv;'7i □-niy':' /D^Din:n 0^21:0 Dnnn d2^ 



r 






,1898 rj:r2 cnnrcn ns Dni:;n2 

,^S"",r' 'J2 D"j2n22 21 S"ip2 '^ni I^N 

-P"£'r i:!"j-in nJ2'' /-L^ir 2'it2 n'7*J2 p''^' 

.]/•D'nslrn^^ ny3y nnnDS n 3nn 

.-i7-',sn':?xp ""'2 p"p2 n:in 

Kesideiice: 1<>(> ^Afadisoii Street. 

>:n D":2n^2i v-Li^cspm •i2r;n^r;-"iSn n'i:;D2 d£"ij 

.t2D p''5 15 — 13 
y^2 

.pit<^ Tj 

210 Clinton Street. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

I'lllli'MMUmmmim 



013 902 272 5^ 



